Everyone seems to be focusing on the candidates for President but not enough on the Vice Presidential contenders. Having the ear of the President is no small matter. In recent memory, vice presidents-think Cheney and Biden-have exercised significant influence, and it would be prudent to assume that the next Vice President will follow suit.
Recently nominated as Hillary Clinton’s running mate onto the Democratic ticket, Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, who has a long history of public service, has likely found the spotlight to be familiar and also (at times) harsh. It is important that we do not neglect discussing figures like Tim Kaine, whose possible election has great ramifications for our community.
Kaine has a long history as a champion for underserved populations or those at disadvantage because of race or disability-a mission that he has upheld throughout his many years as a private attorney and in elected office. His deep-rooted Catholic faith is apparent in every undertaking, such as his missionary trip to Honduras 35 years ago, and in his sense of responsibility as a public servant. I feel that it is imperative to unpack and discuss why he has faced backlash from many in the Jewish community.
It is important to address that I am neither endorsing the Clinton-Kaine ticket nor defending him at any cost. Still, I urge people to reconsider whether he deserves the vilification that he has received. Many times, lack of understanding (or the lack of willingness to understand) fuels distrust or assumptions, as is the case for some labeling him as an Islamist or anti-Israel.
However, should his political blunders merit such caustic labels? The answer is no.
As a Senator, he co-sponsored the U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 and supports funding for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense program. He is a member of Congress who undeniably understands that Israel’s national security and interests are closely aligned with those of the U.S.
Let us read carefully between the lines and look at Kaine in his entirety as an individual with deep convictions. He likely knows better than most private citizens that hindsight is 20/20, especially as the bulk of his job requires very public decisions that are open to criticism. Take for example, Kaine’s appointment (as governor of Virginia) of Esam Omeish to the Virginia Commission of Immigration in 2007. Given the emergence of disturbing anti-Israel rhetoric and calls for jihad from Omeish, Kaine had to ask for his resignation-ultimately a situation that could have avoided from the very beginning had he been more thorough.
Before he was nominated as Clinton’s running mate, I had the privilege of interacting with Senator Kaine on many occasions at the annual Jewish Heritage Celebration on Capitol Hill where he recognized the many ways in which the Jewish community has and continues to make valuable contributions to American society.
Whatever one may think of Senator Kaine’s policies, it is unjust to deny the man his humanity or the warmth that radiates from his person. His emphasis on his collaboration with the Jewish community during his time as Virginia’s governor should be acknowledged. When he speaks of his dedication to promoting people’s rights to “honor their own faith traditions”, this should resonate with the Jewish community.
Even-keeled and extremely likeable, I understand why he has the support of many of his Democratic colleagues as well as those from across the aisle. Republicans from all over the country including Senators John McCain, Pat Toomey, Lamar Alexander, and many more have demonstrated only the utmost respect and praise regarding his nomination. Republican Senator Jeff Flakes notably tweeted, “Trying to count the ways I hate [Kaine]. Drawing a blank. Congrats to a good man and a good friend.” Kaine and Ted Cruz, a staunch conservative, find mutual interest in discussing the humanities though they often oppose each other’s political approaches which reveals Kaine’s ability to find common ground with all types of people.
He is an individual who has a clear grip on the human factor and knows how to effectively incorporate this understanding into his decisions. These outstanding qualities are obvious to all who work with him and benefit from his leadership. His effectiveness as a lawyer, mayor, governor, and senator are testaments to this. Moreover, it is telling that Republican Senator Lindsey Graham describes Kaine to have a “steady hand” and “well-received by [the Republican side] of the aisle”.
Senator Kaine is a fearless unifier with a honed sense of responsibility and duty. The Jesuit ideals he adopted as a young man remain a steadfast beacon in his political and personal life. The extent to which he holds to his religious beliefs and is driven by them were revealed when he said, “If faith is your motivation, share that”. Such is why I urge people to take deliberate pause when he or any other politician reaches conclusions different from their own. Members of our government undergo long and difficult processes where they must foresee all possible implications of particular decisions but it has become far too easy for those with limited knowledge or understanding to immediately write off people like Senator Kaine when they disagree with him.
In March 2015, he was attacked by segments of the Jewish community when he was not present for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress. Upon his nomination, a firestorm of criticism regarding his absence from the speech has painted him as anti-Israel. As much as others might disagree with him, Kaine’s position stemmed from the perceived partisan nature of Netanyahu’s invitation along with the reality of the upcoming Israeli elections at that time.
Let me be clear: If I were a member of Congress, I would have attended the speech. However, to disqualify Senator Kaine as a friend of the U.S.-Israeli relationship for this is absurd, no matter how passionate one is on the subject or how righteous one feels his position is.
It must be understood that a disagreement with a component of Israeli policy is not equivalent to “anti-Israel” sentiment. There are those that want to promulgate a doctrine that decisions made by Israeli political leaders cannot be criticized in any way or anyhow-surely this cannot contribute to productive discussions or attitudes. I am in no way insinuating that Netanyahu addressed Congress for any political purposes other than to alarm the world to the dangers he foresaw in the Iran Deal, but at the end of the day, Israel, like the U.S., is governed by individuals-politicians-which allows room for criticism.
Thus, instead of jumping to conclusions, we should all be more proactive in examining the political sphere. It is vital that we maintain a civil dialogue with the awareness that inflammatory rhetoric is unbecoming of responsible leaders and citizens. Additionally, there must be emphasis that U.S. government officials such as Senator Kaine have to prerogative to draw their own, informed conclusions.
We, as a community, would benefit from an eagerness to listen and a willingness to understand one another. More importantly, we would all gain from respecting the potential Vice President of the United States and doing our best to acknowledge existing diverse approaches. It is only to our detriment if we approach the world in absolutes.
One of our community’s weaknesses is that we perceive those with different perspectives as menaces to society, but this should not be the case. Life is very complex. There is far less black and white than grey-a fact that many struggle to acknowledge. Though society very rarely experiences total unity, perhaps this is indicative of difference in beliefs and approaches, not necessarily of good or evil. We would do well to see Senator Kaine in this light.
